Parents as Partners in Learning
Parents as Partners in Learning
What can schools do?
Children find it easier to get into good homework habits with parents' support and encouragement. But parents can sometimes find it difficult to support homework for all kinds of reasons.
Things parents want to know so they can support their child with homework
(Based on Bastiani et al, Materials for Schools: involving parents, raising achievement)
What does the school expect of pupils and parents?
It is important that the school has in place clear ways of informing them and, if necessary, discussing issues with them.- How do parents get in touch with the school if they have worries?
It is important for the school to welcome parents' views and contact and give them the time they need. - How do parents keep in regular touch with the school when there is good news - and vice versa?
Being in touch should not just be about difficulties.
How can schools help parents to support their children's homework?
- Give parents regular information about their child's programme of work, the school's approaches to learning methods across the curriculum, and how they can encourage and support their child at home. This can be done through information leaflets and newsletters. Successful schools work with parents to agree the best way to share information.
- Ensure the school's homework policy is based on discussions between teachers, parents/carers and pupils.
- Explain to parents how they can offer good, practical support for the school's homework arrangements
- Reinforce two-way communication through the use of a homework diary or home-school notebook.
- Run workshops e.g. maths, paired/shared reading schemes, ICT, how to help at home, drugs awareness.
- Have periodic surgeries/drop-in sessions on specific work-linked topics.
- Make sure parental involvement in a child's learning is a recognised topic for staff activity and discussion.
Information and advice for parents on how they can support their children with homework is available in the Help with homework package of the Parentzone website.
Some general points to consider
- Do all parents know who to contact if they want advice on homework?
- How do you communicate with parents? Letters, leaflets and newsletters need to be friendly and clear. Do you check that all communications going to parents are:
- clear
- to the point
- personal
- friendly in tone
- helpful
- free of jargon
- child-centred?
- Has your homework policy been revised recently? Have you consulted parents and asked what information they would like about homework? Have pupils' views been included?
- Are you satisfied that best use is being made of homework diaries and home-school notebooks? How do you know?
- Is homework and the role of parents in it discussed at departmental and other meetings?
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